Love to see Jeff Carter in there and maybe he'll play wing to Crosby. Carter is a pure sniper and if Kopitar and King can set him up, Crosby should find him too on the bigger ice with plent of space for Carter to get loose.

mcmnky:Why would I complain aboot my team's players being left off the list?

I'd rather they get the break to rest and heal for the second half of the NHL season.

Some would say that playing with pretty much an all star will elevate the player's skill level as they practice and play together for 2 weeks. Of course, if an injury happens that it's all for nothing but I saw Doughty and Brown both elevate their games a lot after the 2010 Olympics. Could be just a coincidence since they were just starting their prime but I think Doughty got to his prime a lot quicker than normal (he's still under 25 and he's been one of the best D-man in league for 3 seasons now).

You could make a solid case for Seabrook, but his omission doesn't upset me.

It annoyed me but he can use the break. But srsly, Rick Nash? The guy who's 202nd in the NHL in scoring? I don't care what Nash did in 2010 cuz Seabrook was on that team too and he's certainly as good as he was then.

After witnessing, in person, Brooks "the spinning pylon" Orpik's epic bedshiatting of a dumpster fire last Sunday I can only imagine what is going on in Sid and Geno's mind about playing against him on the larger sheet. USA isn't going to go far folks, especially with a coach who is totally unable to adapt when opposing team shuts down their current system.The only chance they have is for the players to secretly come up with a plan B so when it comes off the rails they don't have to rely on DB.

Sweden or Russia for gold.

.. and the fark does Rick Nash get on this squad ? Mr Canadian Hockey.. gimme a break..

ddam:Love to see Jeff Carter in there and maybe he'll play wing to Crosby. Carter is a pure sniper and if Kopitar and King can set him up, Crosby should find him too on the bigger ice with plent of space for Carter to get loose.

I can't wait to see the outrage of my FLyer friends when they see "no good for anything nancy boy" Jeff Carter is on the roster but not Captain Claude Giroux...

Now, don't get me wrong I am a Flyer fan and Giroux fan, but I would prefer he get a break and a little bur in the saddle to help motivate him to prove Team Canada wrong for excluding him, I also do not want him on the same team with Sid or Kunitz long enough to diffuse any of the hate, and I wonder what his teammates would think of him if James Neal decided to play for team USA the way he plays for the Pens (ie: Dirtiest POS in the league) and puts a knee to Sids head while he is down...

Honestly, the Canadians win if Smith is in net in the elimination rounds, best goalie on the roster. Luongo and Price fold like origami when things get hot.

soopey:I like how Mr. Joe "Regular Season" Thornton has now become Mr. Joe "Two Week Vacation During the Regular Season" Thornton.

After seeing his 6 foot saucer pass for a goal the other night, it wouldn't surprise me if Thornton could get a primary assist from 10,000 miles away. Hell, I haven't played since college 20 years ago and I bet even I could get a goal if Thornton was passing to me.

I can't wait to see the outrage of my FLyer friends when they see "no good for anything nancy boy" Jeff Carter is on the roster but not Captain Claude Giroux...

Now, don't get me wrong I am a Flyer fan and Giroux fan, but I would prefer he get a break and a little bur in the saddle to help motivate him to prove Team Canada wrong for excluding him, I also do not want him on the same team with Sid or Kunitz long enough to diffuse any of the hate, and I wonder what his teammates would think of him if James Neal decided to play for team USA the way he plays for the Pens (ie: Dirtiest POS in the league) and puts a knee to Sids head while he is down...

Honestly, the Canadians win if Smith is in net in the elimination rounds, best goalie on the roster. Luongo and Price fold like origami when things get hot.

The Pens and Flyers hate each other so in the interests of chemistry the selection committee could only pick players from one team or the other but not both, and they chose Pittsburgh because Crosby. That's why there are no Flyers on Team Canada.

Watubi:soopey: I like how Mr. Joe "Regular Season" Thornton has now become Mr. Joe "Two Week Vacation During the Regular Season" Thornton.

After seeing his 6 foot saucer pass for a goal the other night, it wouldn't surprise me if Thornton could get a primary assist from 10,000 miles away. Hell, I haven't played since college 20 years ago and I bet even I could get a goal if Thornton was passing to me.

The man learned how to play NHL hockey from Jason Allison and Pat Burns let it happen. Allison was just as proficient a passer on a shiatty team with an unreal shooting percentage. (Dmitri Kristich? Anson Carter? Glen Murray?) I still almost feel bad that Thornton didn't learn to play with a Neely type chip on his shoulder. Almost./He's still had a very good career.

Ishkur:The Pens and Flyers hate each other so in the interests of chemistry the selection committee could only pick players from one team or the other but not both, and they chose Pittsburgh because Crosby. That's why there are no Flyers on Team Canada.

Sure, it's bad that Thornton or MSL didn't make the squad when Kunitz does, but Canada has insane depth, there were bound to be guys left off (like Hall or Giroux). And while I'm not a fan of the Kunitz pick (what? Crosby can't produce with anyone else?), I'm also not a fan of Canada, so whatever.

All the teams seemed to make weird decisions. Russia didn't include Semin. Sweden left off Hedman but brought Tallinder. Czech Republic is bringing a team of 40 year-olds but no Hudler or Vrbata. USA left Ryan at home and decided Yandle or the Johnsons were a bad idea.

So keep that in mind before making excuses for your team, whichever country that may be. Everyone is leaving talent on the shelf in this tournament.

sigdiamond2000:Not feeling them this time around for some reason. Phil Kessel is too fat.

In the last three seasons there are just 3 NHL players with more goals than Kessel. 2 Canadians AND ONLY ONE made the Canadian team, the other is a Russian that never plays well internationally. on the whole, I'm calling that a + for the US

sno man:sigdiamond2000: Not feeling them this time around for some reason. Phil Kessel is too fat.

In the last three seasons there are just 3 NHL players with more goals than Kessel. 2 Canadians AND ONLY ONE made the Canadian team, the other is a Russian that never plays well internationally. on the whole, I'm calling that a + for the US

You watch the Leafs. Don't you see Kessel sitting with his head down on the bench after EVERY shift? He easily loses his breath. Might be that he isn't in shape or it might be from his cancer from years back but if he's like that on nhl sized ice he is going to be completely exhausted on international ice. He's also not very tough. Stay on him and all he will do is shoot from the outside and he will not score from there.I'm not worried about Kessel. He'll play himself out of the top line.

No one is giving the Americans enough credit. Young, Scary fast, and mean as all hell. going into the corners against a line with Dustin Brown Ryan Callahan and Kevin Shattenkirk on it? DO NOT WANT.Plus they have the best goaltending after the Finns. they're only really lacking on elite skill in the top 6 forwards and they dont have the best 4th pairing defense.

ontariolightning:sno man: sigdiamond2000: Not feeling them this time around for some reason. Phil Kessel is too fat.

In the last three seasons there are just 3 NHL players with more goals than Kessel. 2 Canadians AND ONLY ONE made the Canadian team, the other is a Russian that never plays well internationally. on the whole, I'm calling that a + for the US

You watch the Leafs. Don't you see Kessel sitting with his head down on the bench after EVERY shift? He easily loses his breath. Might be that he isn't in shape or it might be from his cancer from years back but if he's like that on nhl sized ice he is going to be completely exhausted on international ice. He's also not very tough. Stay on him and all he will do is shoot from the outside and he will not score from there.I'm not worried about Kessel. He'll play himself out of the top line.

Still a +Although he's going to be a little lost without Bozak, it'll be fun if they put Kessel and JVR on the same line, they do have some chemistry... I don't follow most of the American guys as closely, but I think PK & JVR would be a better second line pair of wingers... Maybe with another Michigan* guy Kessler.*Knows Kessel is from Wisconsin close enough...

The biggest reason that St. Louis isn't on the team is so Yzerman has political cover when the inevitable 6th place finish happens and Canadian sports commentators and sports radio (yes, we do sort of have that up here) go apoplectic that Canada didn't win a (gold) medal. It's on International-sized ice, and Canada just doesn't play that kind of hockey. It's sort of sad to expect that a few practices are all that Canadian players need to adjust their entire game style and become better than players who spent most of their childhood playing on bigger ice surfaces and are playing with at least a handful of other players who are coming directly from the larger ice surfaces. But Canadian hockey fans tend to be rather stupid and intransigent about our hockey - Canada is hockey and hockey is Canada. Anything less than Gold is a failure.

Personally, I'm expecting that the Russians will win it. Home ice and a half dozen players from the KHL make me give the nod to them. After Russia, it's a crapshoot to see who will be 2-5; I can see Sweden riding King Hendrik all the way, though I wouldn't discount the Czechs, Slovaks or even the Finns. The USA looks interesting, and I'll call them my Dark Horse. (exclusion of Bobby Ryan and Ben Bishop/Craig Anderson notwithstanding, as I'm a Senator's fan so I'm quite biased on those guys)

/WANTS Canada to win and win convincingly.//But this is the Big Ice we're talking about. See: Nagano and Turin, and the messy corn filled craps we left on those two beds.

On a happier note, Gleason looked way better than his -2 in his Leaf debut... one mix-up with Bernier, but I'll chalk that up to first game familiarization.And Kadri must have seen my suggestion about face-off school, 11/14 tonight.

I think Thornton, St Louis and Seabrook definitely should be on the team. Surprised at Hamhuis, would drop Carter and Nash.

Price I'm Meh about though some of that is the Ottawa fan in me speaking. Smith I was surprised at. He puts up numbers but plays for a system team and could probably make the Canadian swim team in the summer. On the flipside the state of Canadian goaltenders these days who else do you go with?

Regarding the US team, they'll have the goaltenders but they chose their team as if they were playing a best of 7 Stanley Cup playoff round... Picking up a grinder/checking and "energy" line. That doesn't work in international tournaments. It's part of what killed Canada at the jrs last week. Bobby Ryan should have been on that team for sure.

swahnhennessy:And while I'm not a fan of the Kunitz pick (what? Crosby can't produce with anyone else?)

It's not just that. Kunitz becomes an absolutely exceptional player when he plays with Crosby. If he isn't playing with Crosby, Kunitz isn't even the best LW in Pittsburgh but he plays at a much higher level next to Crosby than pretty much anyone else would.

Nana's Vibrator:Watubi: soopey: I like how Mr. Joe "Regular Season" Thornton has now become Mr. Joe "Two Week Vacation During the Regular Season" Thornton.

After seeing his 6 foot saucer pass for a goal the other night, it wouldn't surprise me if Thornton could get a primary assist from 10,000 miles away. Hell, I haven't played since college 20 years ago and I bet even I could get a goal if Thornton was passing to me.

The man learned how to play NHL hockey from Jason Allison and Pat Burns let it happen. Allison was just as proficient a passer on a shiatty team with an unreal shooting percentage. (Dmitri Kristich? Anson Carter? Glen Murray?) I still almost feel bad that Thornton didn't learn to play with a Neely type chip on his shoulder. Almost./He's still had a very good career.

I don't think one learns to have a Neely like chip on their shoulder. You either just have it or you don't. He just snapped at times and there was a viciousness about him when he did. Probably still the best power forward ever. Score 50 and put fear into people physically.

I can't wait to see the outrage of my FLyer friends when they see "no good for anything nancy boy" Jeff Carter is on the roster but not Captain Claude Giroux...

Now, don't get me wrong I am a Flyer fan and Giroux fan, but I would prefer he get a break and a little bur in the saddle to help motivate him to prove Team Canada wrong for excluding him, I also do not want him on the same team with Sid or Kunitz long enough to diffuse any of the hate, and I wonder what his teammates would think of him if James Neal decided to play for team USA the way he plays for the Pens (ie: Dirtiest POS in the league) and puts a knee to Sids head while he is down...

Honestly, the Canadians win if Smith is in net in the elimination rounds, best goalie on the roster. Luongo and Price fold like origami when things get hot.

As a fellow Flyers fan I totally agree about Giroux. Since Team Canada's chances of winning a gold medal mean nothing to me personally this is kind of a blessing in disguise, we don't have to risk our captain getting hurt or worn out, and I hope it gives Giroux a little chip on his shoulder the rest of the season

And yes totally agree would be epic if Neal pulled his one of his cheap shot specials on the NHL's golden boy/meal ticket in the Olympics. If I can't get a US gold medal that would be by far the best consolation prize for me as a fan.

Shelbyville:sdkOyOte: Seabrook should be in there over Hamuis or Subban.

I can't wait to see the outrage of my FLyer friends when they see "no good for anything nancy boy" Jeff Carter is on the roster but not Captain Claude Giroux...

Now, don't get me wrong I am a Flyer fan and Giroux fan, but I would prefer he get a break and a little bur in the saddle to help motivate him to prove Team Canada wrong for excluding him, I also do not want him on the same team with Sid or Kunitz long enough to diffuse any of the hate, and I wonder what his teammates would think of him if James Neal decided to play for team USA the way he plays for the Pens (ie: Dirtiest POS in the league) and puts a knee to Sids head while he is down...

Honestly, the Canadians win if Smith is in net in the elimination rounds, best goalie on the roster. Luongo and Price fold like origami when things get hot.

As a fellow Flyers fan I totally agree about Giroux. Since Team Canada's chances of winning a gold medal mean nothing to me personally this is kind of a blessing in disguise, we don't have to risk our captain getting hurt or worn out, and I hope it gives Giroux a little chip on his shoulder the rest of the season

And yes totally agree would be epic if Neal pulled his one of his cheap shot specials on the NHL's golden boy/meal ticket in the Olympics. If I can't get a US gold medal that would be by far the best consolation prize for me as a fan.

Yeah take that last bit back no Neal on Team USA means that's not happening.

And still a good chance that either Giroux or St. Louis makes the team. It isn't 100% Stamkos is going to ready in time.

/Stamkos' injury really killed my fantasy hockey team this year. Thought it was a steal getting him at 3rd overall...